로그인The Grand Dining Hall of the Northern Star was a cathedral of arrogance. High ceilings dripped with crystal chandeliers that rattled with every vibration of the ship’s engines. Thousands of wolves in designer suits and evening gowns sat at long tables, their silver forks clinking against china. They were the elite, the "pure" bloodlines of the North, and today they had gathered for the Victory Breakfast—the public celebration of the Thorne and Silver-Bane merger.But as I stood at the heavy mahogany doors, I didn't feel like a bride. I felt like a soldier walking into a trap.Lucian’s hand was a heavy, grounding weight on the small of my back. He had swapped his frost-covered biker jacket for a clean black shirt, but he still looked like a wolf among sheep. The scars on his jaw were a map of every battle he had won, and his grey eyes were sharp, scanning the room for the Silver-Hunters we knew were hiding in plain sight."Remember," Lucian whispered, his voice a low vibration that onl
Lucian’s suite was unlike the one I had shared with Julian for a few hours of my marriage. Julian’s room was filled with gold, white flowers, and soft silk. It was like a birdcage made for a pet. Lucian’s room was dark. It smelled of old wood, heavy leather, and the cold Arctic air. It felt like a wolf’s den dangerous, solid, and real. He sat me down in the middle of the large rug. I was still wearing his heavy leather jacket over my thin nightgown. I felt small, but for the first time in years, I didn’t faint. I looked out the large glass windows. Outside, icebergs floated like giant ghosts in the dark water. The ship was moving fast now, thrashing against the waves."You should sleep," Lucian said. He walked over to a small bar and poured himself a glass of dark liquid. He didn't look at me."The sun will be up in a few hours. When it does, the High Alpha will call the Elders. They will want to see us together. They will want to tear us apart.""How can I sleep?" I asked. My voice s
Julian stood at the door to the deck. His face was red with anger. The ship’s Christmas lights twinkled behind him, casting long, trembling shadows on the floor. He looked down at my hand, still cradled in Lucian’s big, warm palm. He looked as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.“Get away from her, Lucian,” Julian whispered. He walked toward us. He tried to look strong and intimidating, but next to Lucian, he looked like a child playing.I felt fear strike me. My heart pounded in my ribs like a trapped bird. But then, I remembered the smell of jasmine and sandalwood in our room. I remembered the sight of Chloe’s hands in Julian’s hair. My fear turned to a cold, sharp blade. I didn’t pull my hand away. Instead, I squeezed Lucian’s fingers. I needed him to know I wasn’t going to run.“He doesn’t want to come with you, little brother,” Lucian said. His voice was calm, but there was a growl beneath it. He didn’t move an inch. He stood like a mountain of leather and muscle between m
The Northern Star was a giant ship. It was covered in millions of Christmas lights that sparkled on the dark, cold water. To the people on board, it was a dream vacation. To me, it was supposed to be the start of my new life. I stood in front of the mirror in the hallway of my room. I fixed my silver nightgown. My heart was beating fast. Today had been perfect. I had just married Julian, the handsome future leader of the Crescent Peak pack. "Mrs. Vailant," I whispered. The name felt strange, but I tried to be happy. My family is the Silver-Bane line. We are an old and famous family, but we have lost our power. This marriage was supposed to fix everything. I walked to the door of our bedroom. I had left the party early because I had a headache. I wanted to surprise Julian with candles and a romantic room. I reached for the door handle, but then I heard a sound. It was laughter. I froze. I knew that laugh. It belonged to Chloe. She was my maid of honor. She was my best friend. We







